The Springboks kick off their first match of the year in exactly two months, against Wales, and although many would feel it is too soon to speculate the team, the Super Rugby season to date is making the list of suitable candidates shorter by the week.

Currently, the proposed Springbok team would take the field without any second rowers and with no flyhalf either, thanks to injuries to most of the recognised locks and flyhalves in the country. Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit are both currently out for indefinite periods, with the likelihood of Victor Matfield once again wearing the Green and Gold becoming more and more a reality.

At this stage though, I would like to concentrate on the ten jersey.

A jersey which has been the subject of debate for what feels like eternity. A jersey worn by Morne Steyn with great aplomb but with youngsters constantly getting closer to taking it away from him. A jersey that may well be worn by a debutant in two months time, thanks to current injuries.

Let us look at those who have worn the jersey before. Morne Steyn, currently playing in France, is rumoured to be having a dip of form lately, struggling to make the starting team for Stade Francais. Pat Lambie is injured, and looks set to miss the June Internationals and perhaps even the Rugby Championship starting later in the year. Johan Goosen, finally back in the Cheetahs team after horrific injuries, once again left the field after 5 minutes of play this weekend, looking concussed. He just does not seem to have the body to back up the great talent he has.

One that we might forget about is Elton Jantjies, although only wearing the Bok jersey twice, could have added to that tally had he been in the form that we know he is capable of. The truth though is that he is being outplayed, and benched, by Marnitz Boshoff.

In the words of Barry Roux, ‘I put it to you’ to select a Bok flyhalf from those selected before to face Wales.

The option is always there to take the opportunity to play an untested fyhalf and give him a shot at proving his worth. The big question though is… Who?

News24.com ran a story this morning stating Sias Ebersohn is the form South African flyhalf in the Super Rugby competition to date, and correctly so. He has been in fine form for the Australian outfit, playing a key role in their record breaking five match win streak. But is he the person to turn to? Again we are faced with the debate around whether to play overseas based players…

Locally, there is not much to write home about other than Jacques-Louis Potgieter. He is the most experienced of the current un-injured flyhalves, having been at almost every South African franchise as well as plying his trade in France.

There is plenty more that can be said about who to play and which player should be given a shot, and whether we even look to a player like Frans Steyn to fill the gap until our other flyhalves return, the point remains: Heyneke Meyer must be losing his hair at the rate of knots.

@JD (Comment 15) : Frans is a pretty decent 10 and it’s a nice solution to our headache of selecting both him and our Bok captain into the same starting side without sacrificing a specialist at 13 but personally I’d prefer a specialist at 10. We’ll only know if JLP is up to the task if we try him out there. He’s doing a great job for the Bulls this year and let’s be honest, it’s pretty much their game-plan being employed at the Boks.

Comment 17, posted at 15.04.14 10:43:56 by vanmartin

@John Galt (Comment 14) : Not convinced by marnitz at all every time he have been put under pressure he has a not so good game

Comment 18, posted at 15.04.14 10:44:21 by BR

@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) : I agree completely and the only (fit) SA flyhalf we have at our disposal with anything close to resembling a few good seasons is JLP.

Comment 19, posted at 15.04.14 10:46:30 by vanmartin

yeah sorry – there’s far too much of a “flavour of the week” feeling to all the clamour around Boshoff.

Comment 20, posted at 15.04.14 10:53:51 by robdylan

@robdylan (Comment 20) :
Nah – he has the goods. I said that at the beginning of the season already. I agree that he lacks a few arrows in the quiver, but Meyer primarily seeks a reliable kicker who can also play territory – and he fits that bill.

Hyneke Meyer will probably go the tried and tested Morne Steyn, Frans Steyn, JDV at 10,12,13….but dont be surprised to see Goosen there instead of Morne. Wales are a very good side so he may have thought of testing someone but does he have the balls to gamble in a home game that he is expected to win

Comment 24, posted at 15.04.14 11:05:13 by SheldonK

@Big Fish (Comment 21) : I think he may have the goods, but I’m with Richard on this. Let’s see him get through two seasons of Super Rugby and maintain his current standards before we start touting him as a test player.

I am not saying that he is the next Dan Carter, but given the way the Boks play, he is the best of the rest

Comment 28, posted at 15.04.14 11:09:46 by Big Fish

@Richard Ferguson (Comment 23) : Peter Grant is always lambasted by Stormers fans for his pop-gun boot that cannot kick his team out of trouble when in their 22.

I think unless Morne is injured, HM will stick with him.

It will be more interesting how he fits Frans Steyn into his team though. Will he move JDV to 13 with Frans at 12, or Frans at 15 (but then what to do with his main attacking weapon in Willie?)

Comment 29, posted at 15.04.14 11:12:58 by Bokhoring

@robdylan (Comment 26) : my problem with Goosen is that you never know if he will finish a game he starts. For him to be a Bok 10 he needs to go for at least a year of rehab without being forced to play games.

@robdylan (Comment 5) : I was thinking about this the other day and JLP was my choice then, however if Steyn gets more time at 10 and shows (good) consistancy I think he will have a good chance of getting the spot.

Comment 32, posted at 15.04.14 11:18:34 by Salmonoid the Subtle

With the kind of javeline rugby the boks play, I wouldn’t hesitate to play Frans Steyn at flyhalf against Wales. He’s a better defender, he kicks farther, his goalkicking and tactical kicking has improved this season. Plus we get to have him, JdV, JF and Free Willie on the pitch….

I’d also start with Marcel Coetzee, Willem Alberts and Vermuelen in the back-row, with anyone of Kanko, Schalk or Kolisi on the bench. We know what Louw can do in a bok jersey, so it’s time for the new and improved Marcel to get an extended run, just in case Louw breaks down in the RC.

Comment 33, posted at 15.04.14 11:18:39 by Mpandla

@Big Fish (Comment 21) : just funny al the games he struggled was against teams known for putting pressure on the halfbacks and he crumbled.

@Richard Ferguson (Comment 39) : personally I’d go with Pienaar as first choice. The guy is just awesome for ulster. I’ve always suspected that the reason he has not shone for the boks is to do with communication. Too often he is looking around for a fly half who is no where to be seen, or worse that fly half is standing still so he has to take a few steps to get the 10 to start moving forward. Fourie and M Steyn have played together so long they don’t need that.

Comment 40, posted at 15.04.14 11:58:12 by gregkaos

@gregkaos (Comment 38) : to back this up somewhat. Look at the massive difference in hougaards performance when JLP took over at 10.

Fourie du Preez is sadly still miles ahead of anyone else in my opinion. I have serious doubts about Pienaar’s suitability to international rugby, same goes for Hougaard. Faf looks promising but the guy is so green. See so little of Piet van Zyl I’m not sure how impressive he is these days.

Comment 42, posted at 15.04.14 12:33:05 by vanmartin

Guys, just a question that I’m throwing out there, remember a while back, Jano Vermaak was on the brink of signing for us, I still rate him as a good 9, saw a couple of games of him currently and he is still very good, would have been a very decent 9 for us now with Charl leaving – don’t you think he will be o good thing for the boks also, as for Flyhalf I think Victor Matfield should be okay there if you go and check he is always somewhere around the flyhalf channel for the current Bulls game plan, so he already knows where he should be standing for which moves

Comment 43, posted at 15.04.14 13:01:58 by Henkb

@Henkb (Comment 43) : being the attacking coach he needs to be there to tell the fly half what to do ;-P

Comment 44, posted at 15.04.14 13:07:05 by JD

@vanmartin (Comment 42) : van Zyl made a huge mistake to sign for the Bulls. He went from playing rugby for the Cheetahs to sitting on a bench and wathing rugby for the Bulls. I’m sure if he stayed at the Cheetahs he would have been the Bok 9.

Comment 45, posted at 15.04.14 13:11:52 by JD

@Henkb (Comment 43) : Jano Vermaak looked good in his limited Bok appearances but I don’t know if he’s still in Meyer’s plans or not.

Comment 46, posted at 15.04.14 13:14:03 by vanmartin

@vanmartin (Comment 46) : Jano was great at the Lions but he also made a mistake to go to the Bulls, from playing rugby to watching rugby. Bulls love Fourie and Hougaard and they’ll play no matter what.

Comment 47, posted at 15.04.14 13:30:27 by JD

on more to the topic, I would also think that JLP would be the better current choice, at least he has an eye for a gap,and will have a run from time to time, his kicking out of hand is good, as well as place kicking

I don’t see Sias as a classic overseas player. He’s at least playing in Superrugby. I think he should be in the mix. The way he has played this year, I’d rather have him than JLP. More exciting option. For me it’s him or Frans.

Comment 52, posted at 15.04.14 14:33:03 by MikeSebMatt

@JD (Comment 51) : HM does give preference to the okes who have been around the block.

Comment 53, posted at 15.04.14 15:14:03 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 53) : yes the old faithful with the focus on old. Think he should be looking for new young exciting 13 like Jordaan, S’bu or JJ for next world cup.

Comment 54, posted at 15.04.14 15:23:01 by JD

@MikeSebMatt (Comment 52) : wonder if Sias will be willing to act as a “stand in” until the “real” Bok 10 is available?!?! I think he may have a plan to play for OZ ?!?!

Comment 55, posted at 15.04.14 15:28:51 by JD

I would rather see no overseas based players! We have enough players in South Africa. If an exception has to be made I vote Bakkies.

Comment 56, posted at 15.04.14 16:08:22 by soutie

@JD (Comment 55) : I doubt he would turn down a Bok jersey. He’d want to make it his own.

Comment 57, posted at 15.04.14 16:52:24 by MikeSebMatt

@MikeSebMatt (Comment 52) : Sias had some attitude problems at the Cheetahs as I recall. His reputation in that regard may count against him.

Comment 58, posted at 15.04.14 18:36:29 by vanmartin

@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) : So pray do tell, does Goosen have to have a rock for a head?? Concussion can happen to the most physical player. So how does it equate to Goosen not having the body to cope with Super Rugby??
I grow weary of these nonsensical arguments about Goosen. Lambie is also out injured, does this also apply to him? Goosen has now played 8 rounds of Super Rugby, and now because of concussion that can happen to anyone this drivel gets posted?/

@KingCheetah (Comment 59) : how many rounds of Super rugby did Goosen play since making his debut? He always seems to play a couple of games and then gets injured. Don’t think anybody is disputing the fact that he’s talented but he seems to get a of long term season ending injuries.

Comment 61, posted at 15.04.14 19:48:17 by JD

@KingCheetah (Comment 59) : Lets ignore the fact that he has done little, if not anything, to impress in those 8 rounds. All he is, is a player who had a few good Currie Cup games and was severely over hyped.

Comment 62, posted at 15.04.14 19:55:50 by Seth101

@JD (Comment 61) : He played 10 rounds on the trot, got a serious injury, and then HM rushed him back after only two halves of CC rugby, and he got injured again! Sometimes players are unlucky! Duanne Vermeulen had a serious injury almost every year, but he is rocking now. And as far as I know concussion is not a season ending injury, but the mandate is two weeks rest.

Comment 63, posted at 15.04.14 19:56:07 by KingCheetah

@Seth101 (Comment 62) : Ha ha, you are quite a comedian, or just grossly ignorant! He got selected for the boks because of his form in the Super 15, overshadowing every other flyhalf, not just in SA. He has to regain form, as any player who has had a serious injury will have to. Regaining confidence is part of that. Over Hyped bwahahaaa

I don’t know if Goosen will ever be quite robust enough, but he should have been treated better than he was when he was still a teenager.

Comment 68, posted at 15.04.14 20:21:14 by Big Fish

@Big Fish (Comment 68) : I think it’s not just Goosen that is rushed back into playing before they’re now where near ready to do it. Pressure on coaches to win games and players earning massive game fees may be huge contributing factors to this.

You can defend the guy all you like, he is very injury prone. I think he is amazingly talented, we are just waiting for him to play a full season. Hopefully this year is his year, but he will need to show some of the form we saw from him two years ago, before there can be talk of him taking the Bok jersey.

Would you seriously select him as the Bok 10 against Wales based on the season he has had to date?

@Richard Ferguson (Comment 70) : Rich id rather than Goosen than Morne Steyn to be honest. Ann if Frans Steyn plays next to him at least Goosen will pass him the ball or else he will get slapped! haha As for scrumhalf…id like to see a local guy picked…but not many putting up their hands

I genuinely feel Jean de Villiers last year was better than Steyn has ever played at 12!!

Comment 74, posted at 16.04.14 09:41:30 by pienaar111

@vanmartin (Comment 42) : Huge Pienaar fan, but not doubting he has disappointed at test level.

The other scrummy who has been consistently good is Vermaak. He is a prime example of being a great player, playing for a smaller team and thus not getting a look in. Hougaard made his debut for the Boks even though he wasnt playing 9 at the time – or for some time for that matter!!

Comment 75, posted at 16.04.14 09:46:34 by pienaar111

@pienaar111 (Comment 75) : With you on Vermaak, I’m just afraid he won’t get another look in because Meyer may not want to select too many foreign players. Wish the Sharks could lure him in with McLeod leaving.

Comment 76, posted at 16.04.14 09:53:03 by vanmartin

@JD (Comment 30) : My problem with Goosen is not even with his injuries…

What has the man really done to substantiate the claim that he is exceptionally talented??? He has had a few good individual performances, but not on a consistent level and not under pressure…so I see nothing there as of yet.

Lambie delivered under pressure at a young age which is why we rate him so highly!!

I believe Boshoff has the skillset, running game to go along with his excellent kicking, but is a serious greenhorn..if he dominates more games towards the end of the season then perhaps a call up

@pienaar111 (Comment 77) : My point exactly he is a ok SuperRugby flyhalf, who can have a decent game, but nothing mote then that. He is not the second coming, and his consistence both in play and injury is just not good enough to be a bok flyhalf.

Comment 81, posted at 16.04.14 10:34:05 by Seth101

@Bokhoring (Comment 80) : I have never been his biggest fan and I was (still am) very disappointed he came ti Stade Francais. With him at flyhalf the Stade backline has never seemed so stagnant. So I guess yes, he will fit in with HM’s plans.

Comment 82, posted at 16.04.14 10:37:39 by lostfish

@Richard Ferguson (Comment 78) : Yeh look at lot of his play has been a directive from the coaching staff so we do have to keep that in mind. Having watched a few of his games he has struggled in france as the defense is in your face and with him not playing flat it has cost his outside backs. One guy who has been good in france though is Meyer Bosman. Still one of the most underrated guys i feel. Yes he had 1 or 2 bad games…but geez if we judged every player like that we would have nobody. Of more concern is the lack of a number 1 scrumhalf

Comment 83, posted at 16.04.14 11:29:29 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 83) : Is Bosman playing 12 or 10 that side? He always looked more impressive at 10 in my opinion.

Comment 84, posted at 16.04.14 11:43:25 by vanmartin

@vanmartin (Comment 76) : Yes I dont expect him to be selected but I hope he will

Comment 85, posted at 16.04.14 12:17:36 by pienaar111

@Richard Ferguson (Comment 78) : I disagree…this business of a player being the type of player the coach looks for only counts if the player is competent in all facets, and his strengths are those that the coach favours. BUT he needs to be competent in all facets of play. Morne fails in all but goalkicking and line kicking..in my opinion

Comment 86, posted at 16.04.14 12:23:49 by pienaar111

@vanmartin (Comment 84) : He is at 12 but pops up at first receiver quite often. He takes the ball flat and has a very good long pass. And his defense in france has been very good in the games i watched.

Comment 87, posted at 16.04.14 12:31:31 by SheldonK

If Boshoff continues with his kicking form and keeps his kicking percentage above 90% by the end of the season, he will get the Bok nr. 10, I guarantee it.